James Allen, the British philosophical writer, wrote:
“Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him.”
Stephen Covey wrote about ‘choice’:
“Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions.”
I have been thinking about these two quotes and how central they are in how we conduct our lives in Chapter X. We are where we are, and it’s up to us to navigate choices and the mental framework to move forward strongly—and with passion.
I also see these ideas as opportunities for reflection and learning. For example, how I behave when stressed or tired, or not at my optimal health. How can I make better decisions when confronted with circumstances that are challenging?
Attaining self-mastery over erratic emotions and human weaknesses is the goal; to be able to help me and others work through difficult situations with grace, humility, and kindness.
As we age, it is only in our best interest to understand how to continue to grow, learn and improve our abilities to not only make better choices, but also work with the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
Thoughts?
